Utah's Zion National Park draws more than 3 million visitors a year, but for those looking to avoid the crowds, the park's east entrance offers access to equally scenic canyons for experienced open-desert hikers who can navigate the backcountry.

Santa Barbara is an outdoor-lovers paradise with a foodie culture that offers fine options for refueling before and after an adventure. If food is important to you, here are some of the best dining options in the city.

With 17 stations between downtown San Jose and Auburn in the Sierra foothills, the Capitol Corridor train route offers serious cyclists in Northern California access to some of the best cycling in the state.